WEBVTT SHE SAYS THAT NONE OF THECOMPANIES PRELIMINARY SELECTEDFOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA LICENSESWERE MINORITY OWNED.>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO CONTINUETO PERMEATE INSTITUTIONALRACISM.VANESSA: DELEGATE CHERYL GLENNTELLS ME SHE HAND DELIVERED ALETTER TO GOVERNOR LARRY HOGAN,PUSHING HIM TO ORDER A DISPARITYSTUDY OF THE MEDICAL CANNABISINDUSTRY IN MARYLANDLESS THAN A WEEK LATER, THISANNOUNCEMENT.GOVERNOR HOGAN, DIRECTING HISOFFICER OF MINORTY AFFAIRSTO COMPLETE A DISPARITY STUDY,QUOTE AS EXPEDITIOUSLY ASPOSSIBLE.IN A STATEMENT, THE DIRECTOR OFTHE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSIONSAID QUOTE, WE HAVE ALREADY ACHIEVEDSIGNIFICANT MINORITYPARTICIPATION WITHIN THEINDUSTRY AND WILL CONTINUESTRIVING TO MAXIMIZE IT.AND WENT ON TO SAY, THECOMMISSION IS LOOKING FORWARD TOCONTINUING ITS WORK WITH THEGOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON MINORITYAFFAIRS TO EXPEDITE COMPLETIONOF THE STUDY AND TAKE ANYNECESSARY STEPS THE STUDYSUGGESTS.LOSE SECURITIES STUDY ISNECESSARY BECAUSE IT IS ON CAN'TDECISIONAL TO USE RACE SPECIFICLANGUA IN ANY LEGISLATIONUNLESS YOU HAVE A DISPARITYSTUDY.VANESSA: THE STUDY SHOULD BECOMPLETED IN 30-45 DAYS, WHICHCOULD INCLUDE EXAMINING THESTATE'S PHARMACEUTICAL ANDFARMING INDUSTRIES, ACCORDING TOGLENN.IN THE MEANTIME, THE STATELAWMAKER IS STILL CALLING FOR ASPECIAL SESSION.>> WE DON'T WANT THATDECISION-MAKING TO CONTINUE INTHE HANDS OF THE COMMISSION.VANESS:: HOPING TO PASS A BILLREFORMING THE MEDICAL CANNABISCOMMISSION BEFORE FINALLICENSCES ARE AWARDED IN AUGUST.GLENN SAYS THE BILL WOULD ALSOREDUCE THE NUMBER COMMISSIONERS ON THE COMMITTEE,GOING FROM 16 TO NINE, AND ITWOULD REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OFTHE STATE OF MARYLAND.

Hogan said the study will be overseen by the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs and is in response to concerns expressed by the Legislative Black Caucus and shared by the administration regarding diversity in the emerging industry.

The disparity study will be conducted by experts in the field employed by theMaryland Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Natalie M. LaPradeMedical Cannabis Commission, Hogan said.

Hogan said he wants the study to be conducted “as expeditiously as possible,” inorder to identify and ensure appropriate opportunities for minority participation in Maryland’s regulated medical cannabis industry.

Del. Cheryl Glenn is among those state legislators who pushed for the study, even hand delivering a letter to Hogan on the issue.

"We are not going to do what the rest of the country has done and that is to continue to permeate institutional racism," Glenn said. "The disparity study is necessary because it is unconstitutional to use race specific language in any legislation unless you have a disparity study."

The study should be completed in 30 to 45 days, which could include examining the state's pharmaceutical and farming industries, Glenn said.

In the meantime Glenn and several other state legislators are calling for a special session to address the issue.

"We don't want that decision making to continue in the hands of the current commission," Glenn said.

Lawmakers who support a special session are hoping to pass a bill reforming the medical cannabis commission before final licenses are awarded in August.

In addition to increasing accountability, Glenn said the bill would also reduce the number of commissioners from 16 to nine and it would reflect the diversity of the state.